Milwaukee's teen birth rate reaches historic low

According to the CDC, the drop in overall teen birth rates is partly due to a decline in births among black and Hispanic teens.Video provided by Newsy
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The United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha County launched the theme “You’re Too Young to be Grandparent” earlier this year in a campaign to reduce teen pregnancy.(Photo11: United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha County)

Newly released data specifically shows that African-American teen birth rate reached a historic low last year, Mayor Tom Barrett and other city officials announced Wednesday.

The overall teen birth rate slightly declined to 18.0 births per 1,000 females ages 15 to 17 last year from 18.1 in 2015.

This rate is the lowest rate on record for the city, officials said.

"In 2014, we set a bold new goal to reduce teen births by another 50 percent by 2023," Barrett said in a statement. "This new data shows we are seeing progress in some areas but calls for every partner to continue to dedicate themselves to supporting further work and addressing our challenges. Our children and families in Milwaukee deserve nothing but our very best work."

The African-American teen birth rate also dropped in 2016, reaching a historic low of 18.6 births per 1,000 females ages 15 to 17.

During last year, the rate for Latino teens increased to 21.4, and the rate for white teens increased to 8.5.

Milwaukee aims to reduce the overall teen birth rate by another 50%, while also decreasing the non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic rates by 50% by 2023.

The teen pregnancy initiative began in 2008 when Milwaukee's teen birthrate was second only to Philadelphia among the nation's largest cities.